Perhaps, but, for the price of entry, there is no other method of jumping into the madness of racing, like Chumpcar! Personally, I've been floundering in HPDE 2 for quite awhile (well, due mostly to blowing up engines - lack of seat time), and I've been frustrated in not getting better, to move up to 3 or 4. But, after two Chumpcar races (4 hours seat time each), I noticed improvements in my subsequent DE's. Looking forward to the next DE in January down here. Zoom zoom!_________________'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

Do you know of another endurance racing series one could participate in with a 924?

Perhaps before you give yourself a concussion, one should try it first.

I agree that 24-hour endurance races are wonderful and everyone should experience them at least once in their lives, especially if they can belly up to the bar and get themselves a seat for an overnight stint._________________Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

I think you guys are missing my point. They put together a pretty slick car (minus the chump required crap) and then ran in a kindergarten level race. You can field a team and learn how to do well (or not) in any level of on track competition but chump and lemons mostly lacks quality competitors.
Dave, nothings beats laps but they need to be quality laps. Either get good instruction or run with the best and see how they do it. That's when you improve.
I did my first 24 hour night stint in 1992 and have completed 20 to 30 more 12, 13 and 24 hour races since then. The level of competition is what makes you better, not the doohickies on the roof._________________1979 924 NA race car
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1982 924 Turbo almost a PoS
1981 924 Turbo a real PoS, new engine
1982 924 Turbo nice body, blown engine
1972 911 E race car - going to Vintage
Various 944s to become IT-S race car

Stefan,
On the East coast I've seen some SCCA enduro teams dummy down their effort, build a POS (cheater) car and run a Lemons or Chump race and kick ass. They usually get kicked out of the series here because they win too much. Fishing with hand grenades in my opinion. I don't have have a high opinion of what they do or why they do it.
I do think that Chump and Lemons are there as for profit groups that take advantage of everyone's desire to be race car drivers. Requiring uniqueness in car displays (appendages) and team resume stories (fake) as an entry qualifier in place of racing experience is inappropriate.
I was impressed with the quality of the build of their car and question why they chose that event (although listening to all of you maybe that's your only avenue). Talk to your local clubs about money. Forty cars at $800 a pop should be able to get you an SCCA sanctioned event. But then you will need proper driver credentials and medical forms.
A $500 car with four HPDE drivers sharing a car at a weekend event can be a lot of fun. When you begin to believe that it qualifies as a true endurance race, you're mistaken. It's just an endurance experience - often painful in the maintenance department. The better teams make sure that maintenance isn't an issue and then they are in a multi-thousand dollar car. On the East Coast, the only cost difference between an SCCA enduro and one of the others is in tire cost. But then, there is still a big difference in overall skill sets.
Plus the shark fins and clown suits are considered illegal modifications. But then again, that's SCCA.
_________________1979 924 NA race car
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1982 924 Turbo almost a PoS
1981 924 Turbo a real PoS, new engine
1982 924 Turbo nice body, blown engine
1972 911 E race car - going to Vintage
Various 944s to become IT-S race car

Anyone put off by Chuck's elitist diatribe against low buck racing, I would urge you to reconsider.

The finer points of driving represent a tiny, tiny fraction of what can be learned about a successful endurance effort when participating in a 24 hour chump race. The team must efficiently manage fuel stops, driver and tire changes, personal endurance, sleep deprivation, the added stress of racing in the dark, as well as performing rock solid mechanical preparation and paddock repairs. The satisfaction and camaraderie that can be gained from pulling it off cannot be overstated.

Here on the west coat, there are two options to run a 24 hour race, Chump Car and Thunderhill. Putting together a Thunderhill team and learning how to manage an enduro in that environment (at the pace of one shot per year) would indeed be beyond foolish.

There is plenty to learn, and plenty to enjoy at a crap can enduro, and you don't have to be gridded next to Mark Webber to get quality seat time.

I suppose if you live in the most populous area in North America, and have the money and opportunities to just show up and drive someone else's enduro car in a "quality" event, retiring to your Class A RV between your Tom Kristensen-esque stints, more power to you. But, for many that is simply not an option.

So, if you want to give it a try, please do. Unless you are a rare bird indeed, I promise it won't be "beneath you."

Caveat: I have only done Chump, which does not have the odd rules and stunts which have made Lemons famous. I have also not run SCCA, where cheating to win is apparently commonplace._________________Toofah King Bad

Shaggy (1980 931) - Got Boost?

Red (1987 924S) - Pro44/Spec944

Weiße Scheiße (1987 924S) - In Progress

Last edited by Rasta Monsta on Sun Dec 21, 2014 3:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

These are not Chuck's first comments of this sort. The first couple I kinda blew off, but he just doesn't get it. Nor does he seem willing to try.

I have been racing Chumpcar for years, before that I ran Lemons. I have enjoyed Chumpcar very much and race in both Northern Region (soon to be Chumpcar Canada) and the Eastern Region. I have also raced in SCCA and PCA. I still like Chumpcar better.

It doesn't matter if it is SCCA or Chumpcar, an endurance race is an endurance race. 24 hours is the same in SCCA or any other series. It is stupid to think there really is a difference. The only difference between Chumpcar and the others is cost. I prefer to spend less for the same thrill. Really, that is all it comes down to...how much do you want to spend to race ? But realize that it is indeed racing. Yes, you need less credentials to race in Chumpcar, but the racing is just as intense and exciting. I get more bang for my buck, which means that I get run more races...yay.

Some just will never understand, and maybe it is better that way for the rest of us, as the people at Chumpcar races are also the friendliest I have ever encountered racing._________________Matt

I think it's a matter of perspective, and one's history in motorsports. For example, on Pelican, you have several posts on what is the best Porsche, which one would you own, is a 924/944 a true Porsche, blah, blah, blah. Whatever one 'grows' up with is the answer I think. I gravitate back to the water cooled cars all the time.

Here is my former life, modified '91 Jeep Wrangler, did all the work myself, lockers, Dana 44 in front, Ford 9" in the rear, spring over axle, '88 Mustang HO 302, Ford T-18 tranny. We were just as serious about four-wheeling as Chuck is about racing, and his heritage. We were the 'experts' and poo-pood the noobs asking about 2" lifts and other poser questions. And we were quite snobbish about it! However, after a few years, as those of us serious four-wheelers started to drop out, or moved on, those poser guys became more welcome into our club, metaphorically speaking. Any sport needs new blood, and avenues to attain it. Chumpcar, SCCA, NASA, etc., all serve that purpose.
Pritchett Canyon, Moab, Ut.
_________________'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke